162
THE WEST SHORE. v
Tits iponUneoua tribute of love and gratitude paid
by the citizens of Sacramento, CaL, and many visitors on
the 6th of Hay Lm & toiuiHiatiuxj even beyond that iu
tendod by the participant. It tenches us that gratitude
in, after all, a living sentiment in the human breast, that
gonuino effort to cast a few raya of sunshine into the
unleaa live of the poor and miserable do not go without
their reward even in this world, and that there is aueh a
thing as honor for a prophet in his own country. The
citizens of Sacramento are to lie congratulated, not only
that they have paid a deserved tribute to true nobility of
character, but that they have taught the world a lesson in
honoring those noble workers of charity throughout the
world whose name is legion.
The recent disastrous fires that have nearly obliter
atod the business portion of Miles City and causod much
destruction of property in Billings are far more of a
calamity in appearance than reality. Those cities are but
passing through the same experience encountered by
nearly every town of proruinenoe in the West Hastily
constructed almost exclusively of cheap one and two
story wooden shanties, the Western town springs into
being in a few months. Soon it is found that the very
cheapness of its structures which made its initial growth
so rapid serves but to retard its future progress. Insur
ance is high or cannot be had at all, and partios hesitate
to erect valuable buildings in the midst of such tinder
taxes. 8ooner or later comes the inevitable conflagration
and sweeps them away like fog before the sun. A mortal
blow seems to have been struck, such aa in an oldor and
nnprogreasive town would seal its fate; but not so in the
stirring West The citizens, full of energy, hope and
faith in the future, bend to the task of reconstruction,
and soon large brick, iron and stone buildings rise amid
the ashes of Uie burned shantixe, and the town emerges
from the baptism of fire purified, and for the first time
enters ujxin a career of permanent prosjerity. Such will
be Uie case with Miles City, and within a year it will be
a bettor town, letter built and with better trade than ever
before.
There is some discussion as to whether the shipment
of cattle last April from Walla Walla to Chicago was a
paying venture. The Piuncrr rc$$ gave a set of figures
which indicate a total lew of at least $30 per head upon
prices that were offered for tho same cattlo immediately
More ahipmmit In reply to this one of tho men who
handled the stock rescinded with statistics showing tho
exact sUte of affair, as follows: Three hundred and
thirty cattle shipped and sold for R40 pnr hundred;
average weight, 1,295 pounds; average prioe, UK'Xt;
average expense of shipment, 1171; not result, $34.49
per head. It is admitted that an offer of (5 per hundred
was made just prior to shipment; but that offer, though
it does seem to indicate a Ions of $110 per head, cannot be
used as guide by which to determine if the business of
shipping eaUle from the Inland Empire to Chicago mar
kU oan be made a profitable one uodor the onditioBe
that then prevailed. A recent shipment by four stock
men of Union County of 335 cattle and two car-loada of
horses shows that the growers of that region are satisfied
with the results. If the returns from this later venture
are satisfactory there will no doubt be a large number of
shipments during the summer. The distance is a long
one and catlle lose from 100 to 150 pounds in weight,
which has to be included as part of the expense of ship
ment The main question is, Does it pay? and upon the
answer dopends the continuance of the business. On
another page will le found an article on the shipment of
dressed moats which will be interesting in this connection.
The failure of the Indians on the Umatilla Reserva
tion to oomply with the terms of the Congressional act,
providing for the assignment of lands to them in sever
alty and sale of the remainder for their benefit, is some
what of a surprise, since it was generally understood that
such a oourse met with their approbation. It is more
than probable that designing persons in whom they have
confidence, and who manage to "turn an honest penny"
on the strength of it, are largely responsible. The greater
share of responsibility, however, rests upon the inherent
laziness and improvidence of the Indians themselves, for
which the Government is largely to blame by reason of
its policy of maintaining Indians in idleness. It is time
more sensible and more stringent measures were taken.
Congress should pass a bill embodying the features of
the present one, but omitting the clause requiring assent
of the Indians. It will be the best oourse for the people,
for the Indians and for the Governmont itself. There is
no good reason why large tracts of fertile land should be
looked up and held sacred to the names not the use or
occupation, for they neither use nor occupy a tenth of it
of a few lazy, unproductive Indians. Each should be
given a generous tract in his own name and the remain
der be thrown open to the people. The true policy is to
make the Indian depend upon himself and render him
subject to the jurisdiction of the oourts of the State or
Territory in which he lives; in other words, make a re
sponsible human being of him and not an unreasoning
objoct of national charity.
BRITISH COLUMBIA SCENERY.
WE present this month four views of the soenery of
British Columbia along the line of the Canadian
Pacific above New Westminster. The railroad runs along
tho north sido of Fraser River, passing through much
desirable and unoocupiod land. Heretofore settlement
have been made chiefly on the south side of the stream.
From New Westminster to some distance beyond Harrison
Iliver many desirable tracts may bo fouml The char
actor of the country may be understood from the engrav
ings. The topographical features consist of meadows
uplands and hills, with high mountain peaks enclosing
Uiom. The railroad oners a means of access to much
desirable agricultural land in British Columbia, which
was formerly rendered practioally valu-U. by its isola
tion. .